Nelson Suburbs FC

History

Nelson Suburbs Football club was formed in 1962 with the merger of two other Nelson Clubs, Hospital and Waimea College Old Boys. Key members of the club such as Greame Lowans and Kevin Dempster were instrumental in the merger setting us along the path we have taken up until today.

Over the years Nelson Suburbs spent 8 years in the the Central League between 1978 and 1985. Suburbs home ground was the top field of Greenmeadows in Stoke with the changing rooms being a small concrete building with two small rooms and a joint shower with the other team. Only ideal if you have won the game !! The after match functions were held at the Stoke Scout Hall which was just across the road from the Turf Hotel.

A change of tact then saw the top team withdrawn so that we could could fund our own clubrooms. We entered into an agreement with the Nelson City Council and Nelson Netball to build whet is now Saxton Pavilion. Our home ground shifted to Saxton Oval.

In 1996 we had the opportunity to enter the National League and with the help of Gary Hinks and Soccer Nelson put together a team that competed in this for the next four years. In 1999 a new league was formed and we took part in the South Island league.

In 2000, Football in New Zealand broke into federations and Nelson Suburbs entered the Mainland league. After 12 years of competing in this league Suburbs has won it three times. We have the milestones of scoring the most goals in one season and conceding the least goals in one season.

But, Nelson Suburbs is not all about top flight football. We host a huge amount of junior teams on Saturday morning competition. From first kicks programmes to under 19 teams battling it out against our close rivaling other clubs. We have appointed a director of coaching that overseas and provides quality coaching for our young players. We also provide special programmes designed to enhance the skills both physically and mentally of all players. We have a new clubrooms and an amazing football complex, arguably the best in the country. There have been so many people work so hard to help the club to get where it is today.

Suburbs Committee

The committee is responsible for decisions regarding all areas of the Suburbs club covering seniors, juniors, womens, coaching, safety, sponsorship, maintenance, marking of the soccer pitches and other governance issues relating to running a club.

Our committee has three management positions. These are President, Secretary and Treasurer. Other committee members have different roles eg Junior Co-Ordinator, Coaching Co-Ordinator, Equipment Officer. Other jobs are taken by any committee member who is able to deal with a certain issue.

The Suburbs committee is responsible for registering the Suburbs teams at the beginning of the season. Our committee organises players into teams, arranges for a coach (with the junior teams this is often a parent of one of the players in the team), provides each team with strip, balls, cones and other gear and liaises with the teams throughout the season.

Teams

Suburbs manages teams for Seniors (over 18yrs), Women (from age 14yrs), Juniors/Youth (ages 9 to 19), Fun Football (ages 7 to 8) and First Kicks (ages 4 to 6). Registration is late February/early March and the season runs until early September. There is a prize-giving ceremony at the end of the season with trophies and certificates.